Packaging device and method for packaging articles

ABSTRACT

A packaging device (1) for producing packs each comprising several articles is disclosed. The packaging device (1) comprises at least one horizontal conveying device and at least one manipulator (25, 35). Article groups are moved via the at least one horizontal conveying device into a working area (AP1, AP2) of the at least one manipulator (25, 35). The at least one manipulator (25, 35) is designed to combine respective articles of a respective article group, which are moved into its working area (AP1, AP2) via the at least one horizontal conveying device, and for this purpose can apply at least one packaging material (40) to the respective article group.Furthermore, the packaging device (1) comprises at least one supporting beam and/or pushing beam provided for rear-side contact with a respective article group, which at least one supporting beam and/or pushing beam provided for rear-side contact with a respective article group is guided along a preferably circulating movement path, which preferably circulating movement path runs through the working area (AP1, AP2) of the at least one manipulator (25, 35).

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application claims priority to International ApplicationPCT/EP2021/054565, filed Feb. 24, 2021, which in turn claims priority toGerman Application DE 10 2020 109 565.1, filed Apr. 6, 2020, which areincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a packaging device and a method forpackaging articles with the features of the respective independentclaims.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Containers, which may be formed by beverage bottles, beverage cans orthe like, are frequently sold as packs, in which packs severalcontainers are assembled and combined with the aid of a packagingmaterial. In practice, such packaging material can be formed, forexample, by strappings or by shrink film, whereby the containers of arespective pack are tightly held together as a finished sales unit. Inaddition, so-called bottle clips have existed for some time, whichbottle clips are designed as flat packaging blanks, which bottle clipshave an associated opening for each container of a respective pack andhold the respective containers of a respective pack together in aform-fitting manner.

It may be provided, for example, that a bottle clip can be applied tocontainers in different formation, thereby connecting the containers toform packs. Such bottle clips are, for example, designed in the form ofa perforated plate, as multi-connected lids or the like.

Frequently, bottle clips perform an additional carrying handle function.For transporting several groups of containers, which containers aregrouped together by bottle clips, these are, for example, assembled intolarger groups within a carton or on a pallet, whereby the carton isclosed for further transport and wherein the assembly on the pallet iswrapped, for example, with shrink film.

It is also known to place several groups of containers on a tray fortransport, which containers are combined by a bottle clip, which trayhas an edge folded upwards to hold the beverage containers in aform-fitting manner, which containers have already been combined intopacks by bottle clips.

Usually, bottle clips are applied to the respective container group in astand-alone machine. The stand-alone, independent machine divides thepackaging process and the associated machine areas. Such machinesrequire a lot of space if they are to be installed within a machinehall.

The application of the bottle clips usually takes place after thearticles have been grouped. This interrupts the usual processing chainwithin the packaging machines. For the subsequent process, e.g. theclosing of the outer carton or the wrapping of the grouped articles witha film packaging, the grouped articles must be brought once again into adefined machine division and fed into the machine for the application ofthe bottle clips. Only subsequently the carton can be closed or thewrapping with film can take place. In addition to the above-mentioneddisadvantage of the large amount of space required for the entire line,it cannot be ruled out in such embodiments that a malfunction may occurdue to the numerous modules required to produce a pack.

Solutions are already known, which solutions integrate the applicationof bottle clips into the processing sequence. DE 10 220 2009026A1describes a method and a device for grouping and connecting articles, inwhich at least two articles are combined to form a packaging unit by theapplication of a first packaging material. In the course of a continuousconveying movement, the individual packaging units are joined togetherwith an additional second packaging material to form a larger unit.

It is the task of the invention to provide a packaging device, whichpackaging device has a compact structure and hereby can combine severalarticles into a pack by a packaging material in the most reliable mannerpossible. Furthermore, it can be seen as a task of the invention toprovide a method, with which method several articles can be combinedinto a pack by a packaging material in a simple and space-saving manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above tasks are solved by a packaging device and by a methodcomprising the features of the independent claims. Further advantageousembodiments are described in the subclaims.

The invention relates to a method for combining several articles by atleast one packaging material to form a pack. The articles that arecombined by the method to form a pack can, for example, be designed asbeverage containers and in particular as beverage bottles and/orbeverage cans.

Within the scope of the method, an article group is formed from aplurality of articles to be combined into a respective pack, with atleast one manipulator subsequently applying at least one packagingmaterial to the respective article group and thereby combining therespective article group into a pack via the at least one appliedpackaging material.

The article group can be formed, for example, by initially movingarticles in several parallel rows, whereafter articles intended for arespective article group are accelerated with respect to articlestrailing behind, thereby creating a gap between the accelerated articlesand trailing articles. For this purpose, for example, at least twoconveyor belts can be provided, which conveyor belts adjoin one anotherin a direction of movement of the articles, wherein an upstream conveyorbelt in the direction of movement of the articles is having a highertransport speed for articles than a downstream conveyor belt in thedirection of movement of the articles and/or wherein a downstreamconveyor belt in the direction of movement of the articles is beingoperated intermittently.

There also exist embodiments, in which embodiments at least oneretaining element is provided, which retaining element allows articlesprovided for a respective article group to pass and which retainingelement temporarily delays further articles trailing these articlesprovided for the respective article group.

Within the method it is provided, that with respect to a direction ofmovement of the respective article group at least one supporting beamand/or pushing beam is brought into rear-side contact with therespective article group. Further, the application of the at least onepackaging material takes place via the at least one manipulator whilethe respective at least one supporting beam and/or pushing beam is inrear-side contact with the respective article group with respect to thedirection of movement of the respective article group.

In this way, the respective article group can be stabilized during theapplication of the at least one packaging material via the at least onesupporting beam and/or pushing beam, which supporting beam and/orpushing beam is in contact with the rear side of the article group, sothat the risk of an unintentional tilting of articles during anapplication of the at least one packaging material is kept small. Inaddition, by using such a pushing beam, an exact position of thearticles to be equipped with packaging material can be determinedwithout having to use additional sensor devices, the signal assignmentand signal processing of which is relatively costly and can lead todelays in the packaging process.

Hereby, the movement of the supporting beam and/or pushing beam can besuch, that a respective supporting beam and/or pushing beam is broughtinto contact with articles intended for a respective article group andthen temporarily accelerates the articles of a respective article group,thereby distancing them from trailing articles.

Thus, the at least one supporting beam and/or pushing beam itself canform an article group from a plurality of articles to be combined into arespective pack, in that the respective supporting beam and/or pushingbeam is initially brought into rear-side contact with articles providedfor a respective article group with regard to a direction of movement ofthe respective article group and accelerates the articles provided for arespective article group at least temporarily with respect to trailingarticles.

An advantage preferably used in the present context, which advantage isassociated with a rear-side contact of the at least one supporting beamand/or pushing beam, is to be found in the fact that the respectiveposition of the respective article group is known due to the rear-sidecontact of the supporting beam and/or pushing beam or correspondsexactly with a predetermined nominal position. This ensures with a highdegree of certainty that the at least one packaging material can beapplied to the respective article group without problems via the atleast one manipulator.

A movement to be performed via the at least one manipulator for applyingthe respective packaging material to the respective article group canthus be coordinated in time with the respective actual position of therespective supporting beam and/or pushing beam, which supporting beamand/or pushing beam is in contact with the rear side of the respectivearticle group with regard to a direction of movement of the articlegroup.

Embodiments that have proven themselves are those, in which the at leastone packaging material is applied to the respective article group viathe at least one manipulator, while the respective at least onesupporting beam and/or pushing beam slidingly moves the respectivearticle group along a transfer plate while being in contact with itsrear side. The respective article group can already be formed before therespective at least one pushing beam comes into contact with the rearside of the respective article group.

In addition, embodiments are conceivable, in which embodiments the atleast one supporting beam and/or pushing beam comes into contact withthe rear side of articles of a respective article group to be formed,accelerates these articles relative to trailing articles and therebyproduces or forms a respective article group from the acceleratedarticles.

It is also conceivable that at least two railings are provided, whichrailings are oriented in the direction of movement of the respectivearticle group, which railings are located on both sides of the path ofmovement of the conveyed article groups. In this case, it is possiblethat during the application of the at least one packaging material therespective article group is guided laterally by the at least tworailings oriented in the direction of movement of the respective articlegroup.

Further, the at least one supporting beam and/or pushing beam can beguided along a circulating movement path by at least one endlesstraction device formed in particular as a chain and/or belt or by atraction device formed by a chain or belt and, in the course of aguidance along the circulating movement path, can be brought intocontact with the rear side of the respective article group.Subsequently, the at least one supporting beam and/or pushing beam canbe in contact with the rear side of the respective article group withrespect to the direction of movement of the respective article groupduring a continuous guidance along the circulating movement path, whilethe application of the at least one packaging material takes place viathe at least one manipulator.

In preferred embodiments, at least two endless traction devices areprovided, to which two endless traction devices a plurality ofsupporting beams and/or pushing beams are attached respectively, whereinthe at least two endless traction devices jointly guide the plurality ofsupporting beams and/or pushing beams along the circulating movementpath.

Thus, in practice, embodiments have proven themselves, in whichembodiments a plurality of supporting beams and/or pushing beams areguided along the circulating movement path by the at least one endlesstraction device, which traction device is designed, in particular, as achain and/or belt, wherein, in the course of a guidance along thecirculating movement path, a respective supporting beam and/or pushingbeam of the plurality of supporting beams and/or pushing beams isbrought into contact with the rear side of a respective article group.

During a continuous guidance along the circulating movement path withrespect to the direction of movement of the respective article group therespective supporting beam and/or pushing beam can then be in contactwith the rear side of the respective article group, while theapplication of the at least one packaging material takes place via theat least one manipulator.

The at least one manipulator can be designed as a component of at leastone working module, the periphery of which is specified by at least onecarrying construction and/or supporting construction of the at least oneworking module. Hereby, it is conceivable, for example, that the atleast one manipulator is hanging in a suspended manner from the carryingconstruction and/or supporting construction, which carrying constructionand/or supporting construction specifies the periphery of the at leastone working module.

In particular, the at least one manipulator may be mechanically attachedto the carrying construction and/or supporting construction, whichspecifies the periphery of the at least one working module.

It has proven useful to support the at least one manipulator via atleast one linear guide on the carrying construction and/or supportingconstruction specifying the periphery of the at least one workingmodule, via which at least one linear guide the at least one manipulatorcan be moved along the direction of movement of the article group.

Furthermore, it is possible, that the at least one endless tractiondevice, which endless traction device is, in particular, formed by achain and/or belt, runs in sections outside the periphery specified bythe carrying construction and/or supporting construction. This alsoallows the at least one supporting beam and/or pushing beam to be movedoutside the periphery via the at least one endless traction device,which periphery is specified by the carrying construction and/orsupporting construction.

In addition, it is possible that the chain drive and/or belt drive,which in particular comprises an endless traction device, runs insections outside the periphery specified by the carrying constructionand/or supporting construction. This also allows the at least onesupporting beam and/or pushing beam to be moved by the at least oneendless traction device outside of the periphery specified by thecarrying construction and/or supporting construction via the at leastone endless traction device.

The at least one manipulator can be designed as a gantry system or as acomponent of a gantry system. In addition, there are furtherembodiments, in which further embodiments the at least one manipulatorcan be designed as a multi-axis robot and/or as a delta kinematic robot.

Embodiments have proven themselves, in which embodiments the at leastone manipulator is formed as a component of the at least one workingmodule, the periphery of which, as already mentioned above, is specifiedby at least one carrying construction and/or supporting construction ofthe at least one working module. The at least one endless tractiondevice, which traction device is in particular designed as a chainand/or belt, can run in sections outside and in this case also insections above or in vertical direction above the periphery specified bythe carrying construction and/or supporting construction.

A particular advantage of the above-mentioned embodiments can be seen inthe fact that the chain drive or belt drive and/or the endless tractiondevice together with the supporting beams and/or pushing beams guidedthereon pass through a single working module or through two or moresuccessive working modules and connect them with one another in terms oftransport, wherein the return of the endless traction device togetherwith the supporting beams and/or pushing beams guided thereon is alsotaking place via a working module or via two or more working modules.

In this way, no coupling and/or synchronization problems are to beexpected between sequentially arranged working modules, which could bethe case with conventional configurations if, for example, severalworking modules, each equipped with dividing devices in the form ofcirculatingly guided dividing bars or the like, had to be coupled andsynchronized with one another in terms of conveying technology.

Particularly, for these configurations and machine layouts, the systemaccording to the invention with the cross-module pushing devicesrepresents a significant improvement and simplification, even if the newproblem of the pushing beam guidance through several modules and thepushing beam return across several modules has to be solved. However,since the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, the additional effortof the pushing beam guidance and/or the supporting beam guidance can beaccepted.

In order to minimize the risk of unintentional contact with the at leastone endless traction device and thus to counteract injury to a person,embodiments have proven effective, in which embodiments a section of theat least one endless traction device, which traction device is designed,in particular, in the form of a chain and/or belt, runs outside theperiphery specified by the carrying construction and/or supportingconstruction, which section is guided through an enclosure so as to beinaccessible from the outside or through a channel so as to beinaccessible from the outside.

If the at least one endless traction device, which traction device isdesigned, in particular, in the form of a chain and/or belt, runs insections outside and additionally in sections above or in the verticaldirection above the periphery specified by the carrying constructionand/or supporting construction, it is possible that a section which runsoutside and additionally in sections above or in the vertical directionabove the periphery specified by the carrying construction and/orsupporting construction is guided inaccessibly from the outside throughan enclosure or is guided inaccessibly from the outside through achannel.

In the method, at least one first manipulator and at least one secondmanipulator may be provided. Hereby, it is conceivable, that in order toapply several different packaging materials to a respective articlegroup, the at least one first manipulator and the at least one secondmanipulator cooperate.

Alternatively or in addition thereto, it is possible that differentarticle groups are assigned to the at least one first manipulator andthe at least one second manipulator, optionally via a control deviceand/or regulating device, wherein the at least one first manipulatorapplies at least one packaging material to article groups, which articlegroups have been assigned to the at least one first manipulator, andwherein the at least one second manipulator applies at least onepackaging material to article groups, which article groups have beenassigned to the at least one second manipulator.

Furthermore, it is possible, that the application of packaging materialis carried out via the at least one first manipulator and the at leastone second manipulator onto the respective article group, while therespective at least one supporting beam and/or pushing beam is in eachinstance in rear-side contact with the respective article group.

The plurality of articles may be formed by a plurality of beveragecontainers. Furthermore, the at least one packaging material may be ormay be formed by at least one flat packaging blank, which packagingblank provides a respective opening for a respective beverage containerof a respective beverage container group.

In the method, it can then be provided, that the at least onemanipulator applies the at least one packaging material formed by arespective flat packaging blank to a respective beverage containergroup, the packaging blank coming in the direction from above, so thatthe respective beverage containers of a respective beverage containergroup immerse into a respective opening, are subsequently held togetherin a form-fitting manner via the respective applied flat packagingblank, and are combined into a pack via the respectively applied flatpackaging blank.

It is also possible, that a formed article group moves onto a tray,whereupon the at least one manipulator applies the at least onepackaging material to the respective article group, whereby therespective article group continues to be located on the tray.

The invention also relates to a packaging device for producing packseach comprising a plurality of articles. Features which have alreadybeen mentioned above in connection with various embodiments of themethod can also be provided in the embodiments of a packaging devicedescribed below and are not mentioned more than once in some cases.Likewise, features described below, which are mentioned in connectionwith the described embodiments of the following packaging device, can beincluded in the already described embodiments of the method according tothe invention. If applicable, the packaging device can be designed orcan be prepared for implementing or carrying out the embodiments of themethod already described above.

The packaging device comprises at least one horizontal conveying deviceand at least one manipulator. The at least one horizontal conveyingdevice is designed in such a way, that article groups can be moved intoa working area of the at least one manipulator via the at least onehorizontal conveying device. Furthermore, the at least one manipulatorcan apply at least one packaging material to the respective articlegroup for the combination of the respective articles of a respectivearticle group moved into its working area via the at least onehorizontal conveying device.

The packaging device comprises at least one supporting beam and/orpushing beam provided for rear-side contact with a respective articlegroup, which at least one supporting beam and/or pushing beam providedfor rear-side contact with a respective article group is guided along apreferably circulating movement path, which preferably circulatingmovement path runs through the working area of the at least onemanipulator.

Embodiments have proven successful, in which embodiments a transferplate is positioned within the working area of the at least onemanipulator, along which transfer plate the respective article group isslidingly moved through the working area of the at least one manipulatorby the at least one supporting beam and/or pushing beam, whichsupporting beam and/or pushing beam is in rear-side contact with thearticle group.

The at least one supporting beam and/or pushing beam as well as thetransfer plate positioned within the working area of the at least onemanipulator can thus form the at least one horizontal conveying deviceor can be formed as a component of the at least one horizontal conveyingdevice. It is also possible that the at least one horizontal conveyingdevice is formed by at least one conveyor belt, which at least oneconveyor belt moves article groups into a working area of the at leastone manipulator.

Also, the at least one supporting beam and/or pushing beam provided forrear-side contact with a respective article group can be connected to atleast one endless traction device preferably designed as a chain and/orbelt, via which at least one endless traction device preferably designedas a chain and/or belt the at least one supporting beam and/or pushingbeam provided for rear-side contact with a respective article group isguided along the preferably circulating movement path, which circulatingmovement path runs through the working area of the at least onemanipulator.

In further embodiments, the at least one supporting beam and/or pushingbeam provided for rear-side contact with a respective article group canalso be guided via an electromagnetic direct drive and/or via furtherdrives along the preferably circulating movement path, which circulatingmovement path runs through the working area of the at least onemanipulator.

It is conceivable that the at least one manipulator is designed as acomponent of at least one working module of the packaging device, whichat least one working module has at least one carrying constructionand/or supporting construction that specifies a periphery of the atleast one working module. In this case, it is possible that thepreferably circulating movement path runs in sections outside theperiphery specified by the at least one carrying construction and/orsupporting construction.

In particular, it is possible, that the at least one manipulator isdesigned as a component of at least one working module of the packagingdevice, which at least one working module has at least one carryingconstruction and/or supporting construction that specifies a peripheryof the at least one working module. In this case, it is possible thatthe preferably circulating movement path runs in sections outside and inthis case in sections above or in the vertical direction above theperiphery specified by the at least one carrying construction and/orsupporting construction.

Optionally, the packaging device can comprise at least one horizontalconveying device and two or more manipulators in downstream locatedworking modules. The at least one horizontal conveying device isdesigned in such a way that article groups can be moved via the at leastone horizontal conveying device into a working area of a manipulator andthen into the working area of a further manipulator.

Furthermore, one of the manipulators can apply at least one packagingmaterial to the respective article group for combining respectivearticles of a respective article group moved into its working area viathe at least one horizontal conveying device.

In addition, in the interest of higher machine performance, a furthermanipulator can apply similar packaging materials to article groups notpreviously equipped with packaging materials. Optionally, a furthermanipulator can apply packaging material of a different type to articlegroups previously equipped with first packaging materials.

The packaging device comprises at least one supporting beam and/orpushing beam provided for rear-side contact with a respective articlegroup, which at least one supporting beam and/or pushing beam providedfor rear-side contact with a respective article group is guided along apreferably circulating movement path, which preferably circulatingmovement path runs through the working areas of the manipulators, whichworking areas are arranged one behind the other and typically directlyadjoining one another.

Embodiments have proven successful, in which embodiments a respectivetransfer plate or a common transfer plate is positioned in each of therespective working areas of the manipulators, along which transferplate(s) the at least one supporting beam and/or pushing beam can slidea respective article group through the working area of the successivelyarranged manipulators while being in rear-side contact.

The at least one supporting beam and/or pushing beam as well as thetransfer plate positioned within the working areas of the manipulatorscan thus form the at least one horizontal conveying device or can beformed as a component of the at least one horizontal conveying device.It is also possible that the at least one horizontal conveying device isformed by at least one conveyor belt, which at least one conveyor beltmoves article groups into a working area of the manipulators or intoworking areas of the manipulators.

Also, the at least one supporting beam and/or pushing beam provided forrear-side contact with a respective article group can be connected to atleast one endless traction device preferably designed as a chain and/orbelt, via which at least one endless traction device preferably designedas a chain and/or belt the at least one supporting beam and/or pushingbeam provided for rear-side contact with a respective article group isguided along the preferably circulating movement path, which circulatingmovement path runs through the working areas of the two or moremanipulators.

In further embodiments, the at least one supporting beam and/or pushingbeam provided for rear-side contact with a respective article group canalso be guided via an electromagnetic direct drive and/or via furtherdrives along the preferably circulating movement path, which circulatingmovement path runs through the working areas of the manipulators.

It is also conceivable that the manipulators are each designed ascomponents of working modules of the packaging device, with the workingmodules each having a common carrying construction and/or supportingconstruction that specifies a periphery of the two or more workingmodules. In this case, it is possible that the preferably circulatingmovement path runs in sections outside the periphery of the plurality ofworking modules specified by the at least one carrying constructionand/or supporting construction.

In particular, it is possible that the manipulators are each designed ascomponents of working modules of the packaging device, which workingmodules are coupled to one another and are arranged successively in thetransport direction, the working modules having at least one carryingconstruction and/or supporting construction, which carrying constructionand/or supporting construction specifies a common periphery of theworking modules. In this case, it is possible that the preferablycirculating movement path runs in sections outside and in this case insections above or in the vertical direction above the peripheryspecified by the at least one carrying construction and/or supportingconstruction.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that a section of the preferablycirculating movement path, which is running outside through the at leastone carrying construction and/or supporting construction, runs throughan enclosure designed as a component of the packaging device or runsthrough a closed channel designed as a component of the packagingdevice.

In various embodiments, the packaging device may include at least onefirst manipulator and at least one second manipulator, which are incommunication with a control device and/or regulating device. It may bethat

-   -   the at least one first manipulator and the at least one second        manipulator can be actuated via the control device and/or        regulating device for applying a plurality of different        packaging materials to a respective article group and/or in that    -   different article groups can be assigned to the at least one        first manipulator and the at least one second manipulator via        the control device and/or regulating device, wherein it is being        provided, that the at least one first manipulator and the at        least one second manipulator can be actuated by the control        device and/or regulating device for applying packaging materials        to the different article groups, which different article groups        are assigned via the control device and/or regulating device.

Such embodiments with multiple manipulators and multiple working modulesare characterized by very high throughput.

It is possible that the at least one supporting beam and/or pushing beamprovided for rear-side contact with a respective article group is guidedalong a preferably circulating movement path, which preferablycirculating movement path runs both through a working area of the atleast one first manipulator and through a working area of the at leastone second manipulator.

It is also possible for the packaging device to be designed to producepacks, each of which pack contains several articles, in which packs thearticles are formed by beverage containers. In addition oralternatively, it can be provided, that the at least one manipulator canapply or attach packaging material designed as flat packaging blanks toarticle groups moved into its working area under the action of force,which flat packaging blanks have an associated opening for each articleof a respective article group, which article group is moved into theworking area via the at least one horizontal conveying device.

The plurality or multiplicity of supporting beams and/or pushing beamscan be mounted or attached to the endless traction device individuallyor at fixed positions as required. The supporting beams and/or pushingbeams can thus be adapted to different processing programs. The methodand/or the device thus enable, for example, the processing of a widevariety of pack formations and/or beverage container formations, such as2×2 formations, 2×3 formations, 2×4 formations or other formations.

Beverage container formations that have already been repacked into atray, for example, 4×6 formations repacked into a tray, can also beprocessed. Onto 4×6 beverage container formations, which have alreadybeen repacked into a tray, for example, four outer packagings in the 2×3format can be applied or attached in a force-fitting manner, which outerpackagings are designed by packaging blanks applied to the upper side ofthe formations.

The invention also relates to a packaging device for applying packagingmaterials to at least one article group, comprising

-   -   at least one supporting beam and/or pushing beam provided for        rear-side contact with a respective article group,    -   at least two working modules, each comprising a manipulator for        applying formed packaging material to article groups moving        within its respective working area,    -   wherein a guidance for the supporting beam and/or pushing beam        is provided, which guidance, viewed in the transport direction,        extends along at least both working areas of the two working        modules.

In particular, the guidance extends laterally next to a transport pathof the article groups, but parallel to it. The guidance can be, forexample, a chain guidance for a driven chain, on which chain guidancethe supporting beams and/or pushing beams are arranged. In particular,the device may comprise two laterally arranged guidances, in/on whichguidances the supporting beams and/or pushing beams run along. As analternative to driven chains, a long-stator linear drive with so-calledmovers can also be used to drive the supporting beams and/or pushingbeams, whereby each pushing beam is arranged on a mover—the mover inturn has track rollers, which in turn are arranged in/on the guidance.

As far as possible, all the aspects mentioned before and after thisdevice can also be part of this device.

The invention also relates to a method for applying packaging materialsto at least one article group, comprising the following steps:

-   -   pushing of article groups by supporting beams and/or pushing        beams being in rear-side contact with the article groups,        through two working modules, each comprising a manipulator with        a respective working area,    -   application of packaging materials onto the article groups by        both manipulators within their respective working area, which        article groups are moved by the supporting beam and/or pushing        beams,    -   wherein a rear-side contact of the supporting beam and/or        pushing beam against an article group is continuously maintained        throughout at least both working modules and working areas by        the same supporting beam and/or pushing beam.

As far as possible, all aspects mentioned before and after this methodcan also be part of this method.

In particular, the initial contact between the supporting beam orpushing beam and the article group takes place before the first workingarea.

In particular, the contact between the supporting beam or pushing beamand the article group is only released again after the second workingmodule has been left, whereby the second working module is locateddownstream of the first one as seen in the direction of movement.

With the presented methods and devices, it is possible to applydifferent packaging materials to the article groups within one workingcycle. One working cycle device that there is no interruption of thework of the device.

In particular, blanks of different sizes may be applied to articlegroups, with the blanks differing in the number of articles to beaccommodated.

Thus, the first manipulator in the first working area may at leastpartially or temporarily apply different blanks to the article groupsthan the second manipulator in the second working area.

It may be, that one or both manipulators each apply different blanks tothe article groups.

It may be, that a manipulator applies two identical blanks to onearticle group each within one working cycle.

It may be, that a manipulator applies two different blanks to onearticle group each within one working cycle.

Several magazines can be arranged in or on a working module, whichmagazines are located within the accessible area of the respectivemanipulator.

Accordingly, it may be provided, that a manipulator may have access totwo or more magazines, in which magazines the either different oridentical blanks are made available in store.

In a magazine, two blanks can be arranged next to each other, whichblanks are removed together, i.e. at the same time.

The manipulators can be equipped with mutually different tools during awork cycle.

The tool of a manipulator can be so widely designed, so that it canaccess two closely spaced magazines with the identical or differentblanks at the same time.

Finally, at this point another machine configuration should bementioned, which other machine configuration is also part of theinvention described herein. Thus, the present invention comprises apackaging device or packaging machine, which serves for applyingpackaging materials to at least one article group. The packaging deviceor packaging machine comprises at least one supporting beam and/orpushing beam, which supporting beam and/or pushing beam is provided forrear-side contact with a respective article group, and at least twoworking modules, each working module comprising a manipulator forapplying formed packaging materials to article groups moved within itsrespective working area.

According to the invention, it is provided that the rear-side contact bythe supporting beam and/or pushing beam is maintained with therespectively moved article group at least until the article group leavesthe working area of the at least second working module.

In this way, it can be reliably ensured, that the precise transport ofarticles from one working module to the next is maintained into the nextworking module, so that the manipulators in the following workingmodules also receive precise position information, thereby rendering theuse of additional sensors to detect the exact position and location ofthe article groups moving through the modules unnecessary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In the following, examples of embodiments will explain the invention andits advantages in more detail with reference to the attached figures.The size ratios of the individual elements to each other in the figuresdo not always correspond to the real size ratios, since some shapes aresimplified and other shapes are shown enlarged in relation to otherelements for better illustration.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a packaging deviceaccording to the invention and illustrates individual steps as they maybe provided in various embodiments of the method according to theinvention.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic detailed view of individual components of thepackaging device according to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG.1 .

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a pack as it can beproduced each by the packaging device according to the exemplaryembodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2 and by the embodiment of themethod according to FIG. 4 .

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the packaging deviceaccording to the invention, which is also suitable for carrying out themethod according to the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a further embodiment of the packagingdevice according to the invention, which is also suitable for carryingout the method according to the invention.

FIG. 6 shows individual steps as they can be provided in variousembodiments of the method according to the invention in the flow chart.

FIGS. 7 a to 7 e show schematic representation (top view) of embodimentswith different packs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Identical reference signs are used for elements of the invention thatare identical or have the same effect. Furthermore, for the sake ofclarity, only reference signs that are necessary for the description ofthe respective figure are shown in the individual figures. Theembodiments shown are merely examples of how the invention can bedesigned and do not represent a conclusive limitation.

The embodiments, examples and variations of the preceding paragraphs,the claims or the following description and the figures, including theirvarious views or respective individual features, may be usedindependently or in any combination. Features described in connectionwith one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless thefeatures are incompatible.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a packaging device 1according to the invention and illustrates individual steps as they maybe provided in various embodiments of the method 100 according to theinvention (cf. FIG. 4 ).

The packaging device 1 is designed to produce packs 4, each of which iscomprising several articles 2 (cf. FIG. 3 ). In order to pack up thearticles 2 or to produce a pack 4 from several articles 2, the articles2 are transported along the packaging device 1 in the direction ofmovement BR without interruption. Therefore, the articles 2 are notstationary at any time within the packaging device 1, so that thepackaging device 1 can produce packs 4 with a high throughput.

In order to be able to apply a respective packaging material 40 to aplurality of articles 2, which are thereby combined into a pack 4, it isfirst necessary that a respective grouping is formed from theserespective articles 2, which grouping comprises all articles 2 intendedfor a respective pack 4. Therefore, the packaging device 1 possesses agrouping device 10.

For this purpose, the grouping device 10 is capable of brieflyaccelerating a plurality of articles 2 intended for a respective pack 4relative to subsequently trailing articles 2, whereby a gap is createdbetween the accelerated articles 2 and the subsequently trailingarticles 2 and wherein the already accelerated articles 2 form anarticle group.

In practice, there are numerous conceivable embodiments for such agrouping device 10. In various embodiments, for example, the groupingdevice 10 may comprise a plurality of conveyor belts, which conveyorbelts have different transport speeds and/or can be operatedintermittently and thereby form a respective article group from aplurality of articles 2. Also, grouping devices 10 known already canpossess retaining elements, which retaining elements allow for thepassing of articles 2 that are being part of an article group to beformed and which retaining elements briefly delay the subsequentlytrailing articles 2.

Irrespective of the design of the grouping device 10, it is provided inthe packaging device 1 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 , that a supportingbeam and/or pushing beam comes into contact with the rear side of arespective article group and accompanies the respective article groupduring its further movement in the direction of movement BR underrear-side contact.

On the endless traction device 15 and 17, which are arranged in parallelor which are essentially arranged in parallel, a plurality ormultiplicity of supporting beams and/or pushing beams is arranged insuch a way that a longitudinal extent of a respective supporting beamand/or pushing beam runs perpendicular to the direction of movement BRof the articles 2. It is possible in this case, that a respectivesupporting beam and/or pushing beam already comes into contact with therear side of a respective article group before a respective articlegroup leaves the grouping device 10. Alternatively, it is also possible,that an article group leaves the grouping device 10, whereupontemporally following a respective supporting beam and/or pushing beam isbrought into contact with the rear side of a respective article group.

Via the grouping device 10, the article group is fed into a firstworking module 20, which first working module 20 comprises a firstmanipulator 25. In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the firstmanipulator 25 is designed as a gantry system or is a component of agantry system. In further embodiments, the first manipulator 25 may alsobe designed as a delta kinematic robot or as a further handling device.

The packaging material 40 (cf. FIG. 3 ), which is designed, for example,as a flat packaging blank 41, can be applied to an article group via thefirst manipulator 25 of the first working module 20. For this purpose,the article group is moved into the working area AB1 of the firstmanipulator 25, whereupon the first manipulator 25 presses a respectivepackaging material 40 or a respective flat packaging blank 41 comingfrom above onto the respective article group with force.

As can also be seen from FIG. 3 , the articles 2 are thereby combined toform a pack 4, in which pack 4 the packaging material 40 or the flatpackaging blank 41 holds the articles 2 of the pack 4 together in aform-fitting and force-fitting manner.

The first manipulator 25 of the first working module 20 is also arrangedhanging from a carrying construction and/or supporting construction 22of the first working module 20 via a linear guide. Along the linearguide, the first manipulator 25 can be moved along with an article groupduring the application of the respective packaging material 40 or therespective flat packaging blank 41 to the respective article group.

Thus, in such embodiments, there is no need for the article group to bestopped or to remain stationary for the application of the flatpackaging blank 41. The production of packs 4 by the packaging device 1can therefore be done with a comparatively high throughput.

Particularly, as can be seen from the schematic perspective view of FIG.3 , the packaging material 40 or the flat packaging blank 41 provides anassociated opening 42 for each article 2.

In order to be able to apply the packaging material 40 or the flatpackaging blank 41 to an article group via the first manipulator 25coming from above, the articles 2 must be in an arrangement, in whicharrangement the articles 2 are in alignment with the openings 42 of theflat packaging blank 41.

Therefore, problems frequently occur with packaging devices known fromthe prior art, since it cannot always be guaranteed with certainty thatthe articles of a respective article group are exactly in a positionintended for the application of the flat packaging blank 41, in that thearticles 2 are aligned with the openings 42 of the flat packaging blank41. Because of the force-applied application of flat packaging blanks 41it is furthermore possible with the devices known from the prior art,that individual articles 2 unintentionally tilt over when a respectiveflat packaging blank 41 is applied.

As previously mentioned, it is provided in the packaging device 1 that asupporting beam and/or pushing beam accompanies a respective articlegroup under rear-side contact during its movement in the direction ofmovement BR.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the packaging device 1further comprises a transfer plate, along which transfer plate arespective supporting beam and/or pushing beam pushes a respectivearticle group during its movement through the first working module 20 aswell as during its movement through a second working module 30 describedbelow, while bearing against the rear side.

The application of a respective packaging material 40 or of a respectiveflat packaging blank 41 thus takes place temporally while the respectivesupporting beam and/or pushing beam is in contact with the rear side ofthe respective article group with regard to the direction of movement BRof the respective article group. The supporting beam and/or pushing beamcan thus support the respective article group by its rear-side contactduring the force-applied application of the packaging material 40 orduring the force-applied application of the flat packaging blank 41, sothat as a result the risk of unintentional tilting of articles 2 is keptlow. Due to the rear-side contact with the respective article group andthe pushing of the respective article group in the direction of movementBR, the position of the articles 2 of a respective article groupcorresponds exactly to a predetermined nominal position, so that theflat packaging blank 41 accurately targets the articles 2 of therespective article group with its openings 42 when applied to thearticle group.

The first working module 20 is followed in the direction of movement BRby the second working module 30, which second working module 30comprises a second manipulator 35. Both, the first manipulator 25 of thefirst working module 20 and the second manipulator 35 of the secondworking module 30 are in communication with a control device and/orregulating device S.

The control device and/or regulating device S assigns different articlegroups to the first manipulator 25 and the second manipulator 35.Furthermore, the first manipulator 25 and the second manipulator 35 areactuated via the control device and/or regulating device S in such away, that the first manipulator 25 applies packaging material 40 only toarticle groups which have been assigned to it by the control deviceand/or regulating device S.

The second manipulator 35 applies packaging material 40 only to articlegroups that have been assigned to the second manipulator 35 by thecontrol device and/or regulating device S. The first manipulator 25 andthe second manipulator 35 thus cooperate to apply at least onerespective packaging material 40 to all article groups.

Article groups that have been assigned to the second manipulator 35 canthus pass through the working area AP1 of the first manipulator 25without a packaging material 40 being applied to them.

A respective supporting beam and/or pushing beam also pushes arespective article group under rear-side contact through the workingarea AP2 of the second manipulator 35, so that the second manipulator 35can also apply a respective packaging material 40 to a respectivearticle group, while a respective supporting beam and/or pushing beam isin rear-side contact with a respective article group. Due to therear-side contact of the supporting beam and/or pushing beam, thearticle group is exactly located at a position, which position isexpected for the application of the flat packaging blank 41.

Together with the applied packaging material 40 or with the applied flatpackaging blank 41, a respective article group leaves the second workingmodule 30 and can be moved by the transport device and handling device50 in the direction of a palletizing station and/or in the direction offurther stations. It may be the case, for example, that blanks ofthermoplastic packaging material are applied to packs 4 and the packs 4are then guided through a shrink tunnel.

Considering the detailed view according to FIG. 2 , further aspects ofthe packaging device 1 become clear. In FIG. 2 the carrying constructionand/or supporting construction 22 formed as a component of the firstworking module 20 and the carrying construction and/or supportingconstruction 32 formed as a component of the second working module 30can now be seen in detail. The carrying construction and/or supportingconstruction 22 formed as a component of the first working module 20specifies a periphery of the first working module 20. Likewise, thecarrying construction and/or supporting construction 32 of the secondworking module 30 specifies a periphery of the second working module 30.

The endless traction device 15 and 17, to which the supporting beamsand/or pushing beams are attached, and which provide a circulatingmovement path for the supporting beams and/or pushing beams attachedthereto, run in sections outside the respective periphery, whichperipheries are specified by the carrying construction and/or supportingconstructions 22 and 32 of the first working module 20 and the secondworking module 30.

The schematic diagram FIG. 2 also shows that the endless traction device15 and 17 also run above the respective periphery, which is specified bythe carrying construction and/or supporting constructions 22 and 32 ofthe first working module 20 and the second working module 30.Advantageously, this can prevent a user from unintentionally coming intocontact with the endless traction device 15 and 17 and possibly injuringhimself in the process.

Also, no complex guidances are necessary to arrange the endless tractiondevice 15 and 17 in confined spaces of the first and second workingmodules 20 and 30. If the endless traction device 15 and 17 show signsof wear or need maintenance or lubrication, the endless traction device15 and 17 are therefore accessible for this purpose above the firstworking module 20 and the second working module 30.

FIG. 2 also shows that the packaging device 1 comprises a blank feeder7, which is arranged below a transport level, which transport level isprovided for the articles 2. Packaging blanks, which are not shown inthe figures, can be introduced into the transport path of the alreadyproduced packs 4 via the blank feeder 7, whereby the packs 4 are movedonto a respective blank and are then arranged on the respective blank.

The blanks or packaging blanks can, for example, be designed asso-called trays, which trays have lateral and upwardly folded flaps.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2 , first the packs 4 areformed, whereupon the finished packs 4 then move onto a respectiveblank. In practice, embodiments have proven successful, in whichembodiments at least one article group moves onto a respective blank ofthis type, onto which respective at least one article group no flatpackaging blank 41 has been applied yet.

Following this, a respective flat packaging blank 41 can be applied tothe respective article group via the respective manipulator 25 or 35,with the respective article group being located on such a blank or on atray. Since the respective blank has lateral flaps, which flaps are inan upright orientation, the respective article group is also maintainedin a stable manner by the blank or by its lateral flaps during theapplication of the flat packaging blank 41, so that the risk ofunintentional tilting of articles 2 can be further reduced.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a pack 4 as it can be produced withvarious embodiments of the packaging device 1 according to the inventionand with various embodiments of the method 100 according to theinvention.

The pack 4 in the example shown in FIG. 3 comprises eight articles 2,each of which articles 2 is in the form of a beverage can, and apackaging material 40 or a flat packaging blank 41 by which the articles2 are held together and are held in defined positions. The flatpackaging blank 41 can, for example, be made of plastic or cardboardand/or paperboard.

In alternative embodiments, the articles 2 can also be formed bybeverage bottles. The number of eight articles 2 or eight beveragecontainers is to be understood merely as exemplary, so that by apackaging device 1 in accordance with the exemplary embodiment accordingto FIGS. 1 and 2 , packs 4 can also be produced, which packs 4 comprisea number deviating from this, for example comprising exactly four or sixarticles 2 or comprising exactly four or six beverage containers.

FIG. 3 shows that the packaging material 40 or the flat packaging blank41 provides a respective opening 42 for each article 2, through whichopening 42 the respective beverage container 2 passes with an upperpart. In order to apply the flat packaging blank 41 to the articles 2 ofa respective article group, the packaging blank 41 is pressed onto thearticles 2 with a defined force in the direction coming from above,wherein the articles 2 pass through the openings 42 with their upperpart. The application is carried out by a manipulator 25 or 35, as hasbeen described above for FIG. 1 .

During application, a supporting beam and/or pushing beam is inrear-side contact with articles 2 of the pack 4 to be formed, therebyproviding the exact position for the respective articles 2 for theapplication of the flat packaging blank 41 and also preventing thearticles 2 from unintentional tilting during application.

FIG. 3 also illustrates that the articles 2 must be aligned with eachother, so that when the packaging blank 41 is applied, the articles 2can pass through the openings 42 with their upper part. For thispurpose, the supporting beam and/or pushing beam is provided, whichaligns the articles 2 of the pack 4 and pushes them in a direction ofmovement BR.

The alignment of the articles 2 with respect to each other is such, thatthe articles 2 along their respective longitudinal direction are alignedwith their respectively assigned opening 42 of the packaging blank 41.After the packaging blank 41 has been applied to the articles 2 as shownin FIG. 3 , the articles 2 are held together by the packaging blank 41in a form-fit and force-fit manner.

It is conceivable, that the articles 2 of the pack 4 are held togetherby further connections not shown in FIG. 3 . In particular, an adhesiveconnection can be formed between lateral mantle surfaces of directlyadjoining articles 2.

In addition, as already mentioned above, several article groups can bearranged standing on a tray before the application of the respectivepackaging material 40 or before the application of the respective flatpackaging blank 41, which tray has several lateral edge regions foldedin the upward direction. The tray can be introduced into a transportpath of the articles 2 from below a transport plane, which transportplane is provided for moving the articles 2, with a respective articlegroup then moving onto a respective tray.

The schematic view of FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of a packagingdevice 1 according to the invention, which is also suitable for carryingout the method according to the invention. Hereby, an already producedtray pack 5 is fed to the packaging device 1 in a 4×6 formation. In theembodiment variation according to FIG. 4 , the tray 5 with therespective article group in the 4×6 formation is conveyed through thefollowing working modules 20 and 30 by the respective supporting beamand/or pushing beam 6.

As can be seen from the schematic top view of FIG. 4 , several trays 5are conveyed successively through the packaging device 1 in thedirection of movement BR (from right to left) on transfer plates 52 andequipped with packaging material 40 by the first and second workingmodules 20 and 30. In the interest of a high machine throughput asensible sequence of operations can provide for two 2×3 formations inthe first working module 20 to be initially equipped with packagingmaterial 40 in the form of flat packaging blanks 41, which packagingblanks 41 are put on the top of six articles 2. These are the 2×3formations located closer to the thrusting supporting beam and/orpushing beam 6. The transfer plat and the supporting beam and/or pushingbeam 6 form the horizontal conveying device 54

Subsequently, in the second working module 30, the remaining two 2×3formations located within the tray 5 are equipped with packagingmaterial 40 in the form of flat packaging blanks 41, which packagingblank 41 is put on top of six articles 2. These are the 2×3 formationslocated further away from the thrusting supporting beam and/or pushingbeam 6, i.e. the two packs or 2×3 formations at the front seen in thedirection of movement BR.

The schematic top view of FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of thepackaging device 1 according to the invention, which is also suitablefor carrying out a further variant of the method according to theinvention. The packaging device 1 shown in FIG. 5 comprises four workingmodules 20, 30, 60 and 70 arranged one behind the other in the directionof movement BR, in which working modules 20, 30, 60 and 70 trays 5 witharticles 2 are conveyed by the packaging device 1, which articles 2 areequipped with packaging material 40.

Also, in the variation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 , an alreadyproduced tray pack 5 is fed to the packaging device 1 in a 4×6formation. The trays 5 or tray packs 5 are conveyed with the respectivearticle group in the 4×6 formation through the following modules 20 and30 as well as 60 and 70 by the respective supporting beams and/orpushing beams 6.

As can be seen from the schematic top view of FIG. 5 , several trays 5are conveyed successively through the packaging device 1 in thedirection of movement BR (from right to left) and are respectivelyequipped in succession with packaging material 40 by the first, second,third and fourth working modules 20, 30, 60 and 70. In the interest of ahigh machine throughput a sensible sequence of operations can provide,that in the first working module 20 initially only one of a total offour 2×3 formations is equipped with a packaging material 40 in the formof a flat packaging blank 41, which packaging blank 41 is put on top ofsix articles 2 standing next to each other in a rectangular arrangement(2×3 formation) within the tray 5. This is the right 2×3 formationlocated closer to the supporting beam and/or pushing beam 6.

Subsequently, in the second working module 30, which is arrangeddownstream of the first working module 20 in the direction of movementBR, a further of the total of four 2×3 formations is equipped with apackaging material 40 in the form of a flat packaging blank 41, whichpackaging blank 41 is put on top of six articles 2 arranged in arectangular arrangement (2×3 formation) within the tray 5. In the secondworking module 30, this is the left 2×3 formation closer to thethrusting supporting beam and/or pushing beam 6.

After passing through the second working module 30, within the tray 5two 2×3 formations are thus already equipped with packaging blanks 41.

Subsequently, in the third working module 60, which is arrangeddownstream of the second working module 30 in the direction of movementBR, a further 2×3 formation within the tray 5 is equipped with apackaging material 40 in the form of a flat packaging blank 41, whichpackaging blank 41 is put on top of six articles 2. This is the left 2×3formation of the two 2×3 formations located more distant from thethrusting supporting beam and/or pushing beam 6, i.e. the left pack onthe front or the left 2×3 formation on the front seen in the directionof movement BR.

Finally, in the fourth working module 70, which is arranged downstreamof the third working module 60 in the direction of movement BR, afurther 2×3 formation within the tray 5 is equipped with a packagingmaterial 40 in the form of a flat packaging blank 41, which packagingblank 41 is put on top of six articles 2. This is the right 2×3formation of the two 2×3 formations located more distant from thethrusting supporting beam and/or pushing beam 6, i.e. the right pack onthe front or the right 2×3 formation on the front seen in the directionof movement BR.

FIG. 5 thus shows an embodiment, where within each of the four workingmodules 20, 30, 60 and 70 one respective manipulator (not described inmore detail here) applies only one packaging blank 41 at a time to a 2×3rectangular arrangement of articles 2 within the larger tray pack 5;which allows a correspondingly high throughput of tray packs 5 when theinteracting working modules 20, 30, 60 and 70 are appropriatelycoordinated.

The supporting beams and/or pushing beams 6 running continuously throughthe packaging device 1, which according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are alsoguided in a circulating manner at synchronized distances from oneanother and which are returned to the starting point for conveyingfurther trays 5, enable very precise machine control and positioning ofthe corresponding manipulators without the need for time-consumingtransfer procedures between the working modules 20, 30, 60 and 70.

Finally, in a flow diagram FIG. 6 shows individual steps, which may beprovided in various embodiments of the method 100 according to theinvention. The method 100 according to the embodiment shown in to FIG. 6can be implemented or carried out by a packaging device 1 according tothe exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2 . The method 100according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 can also be implemented orcarried out by a packaging device 1 according to the exemplaryembodiment according to FIGS. 4 and 5 .

With the method 100, several articles 2 are combined via a packagingmaterial 40 to form a pack 4. In a first step, to which reference ismade with number 110, article groups are formed in each instance fromseveral articles 2, for which purpose the articles 2 intended for arespective article group are separated or accelerated for a short timefrom other articles 2.

In method step 120, a supporting beam and/or pushing beam is thenbrought into contact with the rear side of the respective article groupwith respect to a direction of movement BR of the respective articlegroup and then pushes the respective article group through at least oneworking area AP1 or AP2 of at least one manipulator 25 or 35.

In method step 130, the at least one manipulator 25 or 35 then appliesat least on packaging material 40 to a respective article group pushedinto its working area AP1 or AP2. The respective supporting beam and/orpushing beam continues to be in contact with the rear side of therespective article group with respect to a direction of movement BR ofthe respective article group.

FIG. 7 shows various examples of article groups or packs with differentblanks. The blanks 41 differ in size and can combine different numbersof articles 2 into one pack.

FIG. 7 a shows three identical packs, each with eight articles 2 on atray.

FIG. 7 b shows six packs, each with four articles 2 on a tray.

FIG. 7 c shows four packs, each with four articles 2, and one pack witheight articles on a tray.

FIG. 7 d shows two packs, each with four articles and one pack each withtwo, six and eight articles 2 on a tray.

FIG. 7 e shows five packs on a tray, three with four articles 2 and twowith six articles 2.

The respective blanks may have been applied by two or three or moremanipulators. For example, the eight comprising blank in FIG. 7 c mayhave been applied by the first manipulator and the other blanks by asecond manipulator.

Finally, the following should be pointed out. Even though the figuresgenerally refer to “schematic” representations and views, this in no waymeans that the figure representations and their description should be ofsecondary importance with respect to the disclosure of the invention.The person skilled in the art is quite capable of obtaining enoughinformation from the schematically and abstractly drawn representationsto facilitate his understanding of the invention without being impairedin any way in his understanding, for example, by the drawn proportions,which proportions may not be exactly to scale. The figures thus enablethe skilled person as a reader to derive a better understanding of theidea of the invention described in a more general and/or abstract mannerin the claims as well as in the general part of the description on thebasis of the more exactly explained implementations of the methodaccording to the invention and the more exactly explained mode ofoperation of the packaging device according to the invention.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferredembodiment. However, it is conceivable to one skilled in the art thatvariations or modifications of the invention may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of protection of the claims below.

List of Reference Signs

1 packaging device

2 article

4 pack

5 tray, tray pack

6 supporting beam and/or pushing beam

7 blank feeder

10 grouping device

15 endless traction device

17 endless traction device

20 first working module

22 carrying construction and/or supporting construction

25 first manipulator

30 second working module

32 carrying construction and/or supporting construction

35 second manipulator

40 packaging material

41 flat packaging blank

42 opening

50 transport device and handling device

52 transfer plate

54 horizontal conveying device

60 third working module

70 fourth working module

100 method

110 first step

120 method step

130 method step

AP1 working area (first manipulator 25)

AP2 working area (second manipulator 35)

BR direction of movement

S control device and/or regulating device

1. A method (100) for combining a plurality of articles (2) via at leastone packaging material (40) to form a pack (4), comprising: forming anarticle group from the plurality of articles (2) to form a pack (4) andtemporally following the forming step, applying, with at least onemanipulator (25, 35), at least one packaging material (40) to thearticle group to form a pack (4), and while the at least one manipulatoris applying the at least one packaging material (40) to the articlegroup, contacting at least one supporting beam or pushing beam (6) witha rear side of the article group with respect to a direction of movement(BR) of the article group.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the atleast one supporting beam or pushing beam (6) slidably pushes thearticle group along a transfer plate or along a support surface.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, wherein the at least one supporting beam or pushingbeam (6) is guided along a circulating movement path by an endlesstraction device (15, 17) and wherein the supporting beam or pushing beam(6) is brought into contact with the rear side of the article groupalong the circulating movement path, and then is in continuous contactwith the rear side of the article group while the at least onemanipulator (25, 35) is applying the at least one packaging material(40).
 4. to the method of claim 3, wherein the at least one manipulator(25, 35) is a component of at least one working module (20, 30) whereinthe at least one endless traction means (15, 17) operates outside aperiphery of the working module (20, 30) defined by a carryingconstruction or supporting construction (22, 32).
 5. The method of claim4, wherein the at least one endless traction device (15, 17) operates insections above or in a vertical direction above the periphery defined bythe carrying construction or supporting construction (22, 32).
 6. Themethod of claim 5, wherein the endless traction device (15, 17) isguided inaccessibly from the outside through an enclosure or is guidedinaccessibly from the outside through a channel.
 7. The method of claim6, further comprising providing at least one first manipulator (25) andat least one second manipulator (35), wherein: the at least one firstmanipulator (25) and the at least one second manipulator (35) cooperateto apply a plurality of different packaging materials (40) to thearticle group, or wherein: the at least one first manipulator (25) andthe at least one second manipulator (35) are assigned different articlegroups, such that the at least one first manipulator (25) applies atleast one packaging material (40) to first article groups contacted at arear side of the article group by at least one supporting beam orpushing beam (6) and wherein the at least one second manipulator (35)applies at least one packaging material (40) to second article groupscontacted at a rear side of the article group by at least one supportingbeam or pushing beam (6).
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein theplurality of articles (2) are beverage containers, and wherein the atleast one packaging material (40) comprises at least one flat packagingblank (41) providing at least one opening (42) for a beverage container,and wherein the at least one manipulator (25, 35) applies the at leastone flat packaging blank (41) to a beverage container group in thedirection coming from above, so that the beverage containers of insertinto a respective opening (42), and are subsequently held together in aform-fitting manner via applied flat packaging blank (41) to form thepack (4).
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein an article group moves ontoa tray, wherein subsequently the at least one manipulator (25, 35)applies the at least one packaging material (40) to the article group onthe tray, wherein the article group continuously remains on the tray.10. A packaging device (1) for producing packs (4), each pack (4)comprising a plurality of articles (2), the packaging device (1)comprising: at least one horizontal conveying device (54) and at leastone manipulator (25, 35), wherein article groups are movable via the atleast one horizontal conveying device (3) into a working area (AP1, AP2)of the at least one manipulator (25, 35), and wherein the at least onemanipulator (25, 35) is adapted to apply at least one packaging material(40) to each article group for combining respective articles (2) to forma pack (4), and at least one supporting beam or pushing beam (6)provided for rear-side contact with an article group, wherein the atleast one supporting beam or pushing beam (6) is guided along acirculating movement path, which extends through the working area (AP1,AP2) of the at least one manipulator (25, 35).
 11. The packaging device(1) according to claim 10, further comprising a transfer plate (52)positioned within the working area (AP1, AP2) of the at least onemanipulator (25, 35), along which the at least one supporting beam orpushing beam (6) can push an article group slidingly through the workingarea (AP1, AP2) of the at least one manipulator (25, 35) while being inrear-side contact with the article group.
 12. The packaging device (1)of claim 11, wherein the at least one supporting beam or pushing beam(6) is connected to at least one endless traction device (15, 17). 13.The packaging device (1) of claim 12, further comprising at least oneworking module (20, 30), of which the at least one manipulator (25, 353)is a component, and which comprises at least one carrying constructionor supporting construction (22, 32), which defines a periphery of the atleast one working module (20, 30), and wherein the circulating movementpath runs in sections outside the periphery of the at least one workingmodule (20, 30).
 14. The packaging device (1) of claim 13, wherein thecirculating movement path runs in sections outside and in doing so runsin sections above or in the vertical direction above the peripherydefined by the at least one carrying construction or supportingconstruction (22, 32).
 15. The packaging device (1) of claim 14, whereina section of the circulating movement path, which section is extendingoutside the at least one carrying construction or supportingconstruction (22, 32), extends through an enclosure or a channel. 16.The packaging device (1) of claim 15, comprising at least one firstmanipulator (25) and at least one second manipulator (35), which areassociated with a control device or regulating device (S), wherein: theat least one first manipulator (25) and the at least one secondmanipulator (35) can be actuated or controlled via the control device orregulating device (S) for applying a plurality of different packagingmaterial (40) to an article group, or wherein: different article groupscan be assigned to the at least one first manipulator (25) and the atleast one second manipulator (35) via the control device or regulatingdevice (S), wherein the at least one first manipulator (25) and the atleast one second manipulator (35) are adapted to be actuated by thecontrol device or regulating device (S), and wherein the at least onesupporting beam or pushing beam (6) is guided along the circulatingmovement path, which runs both through a working area (AP1) of the atleast one first manipulator (25) and through a working area (AP2) of theat least one second manipulator (35).
 17. The packaging device (1) ofclaim 16, adapted to produce packs (4) a plurality of beveragecontainers, wherein the at least one manipulator is adapted to applyflat packaging blanks (41) onto article groups moved into its workingarea (AP1, AP2) in a force-fit manner, wherein the flat packaging blanks(41) have assigned openings (42) for each beverage container of anarticle group that is moved via the at least one horizontal conveyingdevice (3).
 18. A packaging device (1) for applying packaging material(40) to at least one article group, comprising: at least one supportingbeam or pushing beam (6) adapted to contact the rear side of an articlegroup, at least two working modules (20, 30), each comprising amanipulator (25, 35) adapted to apply packaging material (40) to articlegroups moving within a working area (AP1, AP2) in each of the least twoworking modules (20, 30), and an endless traction device (15, 17)connected to the supporting beam or pushing beam (6) wherein the endlesstraction device (15, 17), viewed in the direction of movement (BR),extends along at least both working areas (AP1, AP2) of the two workingmodules (20, 30).
 19. A method of applying packaging material (40) to atleast one article group, comprising: pushing article groups through twoworking modules (20, 30) by at least one supporting beams or pushingbeams (6), wherein the at least one supporting beams or pushing beams(6) contact the rear side of the article groups, each of which workingmodule (20, 30) comprises a manipulator (25, 35) with a respectiveworking area (AP1, AP2), applying packaging material (40) with bothmanipulators in their respective working area (AP1, AP2) onto thearticle groups moved by the supporting beams or pushing beams (6), andmaintaining a rear-side contact of the at least one supporting beam orpushing beam (6) against an article group throughout at least both workmodules (20, 30) and work areas (AP1, AP2).